JEDDAH, 9 August 2003 — The appointment of Saudi women as legal consultants in law offices is still under study, says Justice Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Sheikh.
“We presented the issue to a Cabinet panel, but they sent it back saying they wanted further study of both the legal aspects and whether society needs such female consultants,” Al-Sheikh told Arab News.
He said only two women had turned up to apply for jobs. “We are studying the prospects of their appointment,” he said.
The appointment of female consultants would help Saudi women raise their problems more effectively since at present they must approach male lawyers to take up their cases. Female lawyers are tipped to open women-only offices for legal consultancy.
Meanwhile, 50 Saudi women are attending a training course on business and investment organized by the Madinah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Abdul Kareem Al-Hunainy, deputy governor of Madinah, emphasized the importance of training courses to promote the country’s Saudization drive.
“There are at present five million jobs in the private sector occupied expatriate workers,” he said addressing the opening session.
This is the first time women are attending training courses organized by a chamber of commerce. The course offers guidelines for small-scale business ventures.
